About Rebekah
When her beloved father dies and she is left in the care of her conniving brother Laban, Rebekah knows her life has changed forever. Though she should be married by now, it’s clear that Laban is dragging his feet, waiting for a higher bride-price to line his pockets. But then Rebekah is given a chance to leave her home to marry Isaac, a cousin she has never even seen, and her hope for the future is restored. Little does she know what a wondrous and heart-wrenching journey she is beginning.
As Rebekah experiences the joy of young love and the bitterness of misunderstanding and betrayal, her resolve is tested. When the rift between Isaac and her grows so wide it is surely too great to be mended, can she trust the God of Isaac’s father Abraham to bridge the gap?
What Did I Think?
Awesome. Tender. Heart-rending and raw, real and hopeful. I couldn’t have written this book. I’m in awe of Jill’s ability to explore the dark corners of the various relationships in Isaac’s and Rebekah’s worlds. Abraham’s relationship with Isaac. Isaac’s relationship with Rebekah and Esau. Rebekah’s relationship with Isaac, Jacob, and Esau. The subtle changes and complexities of mood and the years that passed between. The callused hearts that build over time and the softening that is smoothed just as slowly–while keeping me engaged with the story all the while. Jill told a beautiful story, true to the culture, the rugged landscape and history. A must-read for any biblical fiction lover.
About the Author
Jill Eileen Smith is the author of the bestselling Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba, all part of The Wives of King David series, and of Sarai, book 1 in the Wives of the Patriarchs series. Her writing has garnered acclaim in several contests. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
A Pioneer of Sorts
Jill Eileen Smith will always have a special place in my heart because she (and Revell) blazed the trail for the new wave of biblical fiction that you see on bookstore shelves. For years Christian publishers had stopped buying biblical manuscripts. Why? Because no one was reading them.
…Until an editor from Revell asked Jill’s agent if she knew of any promising biblical novels out there–and the agent mentioned Jill’s Wives of King David Series. Around the same time, Tosca Lee published Havah, the story of Eve. Soon after that, another editor from Revell contracted my first two novels; and then Bethany contracted Janette Oake and Davis Bunn–two tried-and-true names in Christian fiction–to write a series set in the biblical era. And the rest…as they say…is history.
What To Read Next?
Next on my reading list is Judge, by R.J. Larson. It’s not my usual cup-of-tea, but I really enjoyed the first book Prophet, in the YA Series Books of the Infinite.
After Judge, I plan to read This Scarlet Cord by Joan Wolf. It’s been out for a while, but I’m just now getting some time for relaxed reading after submitting my own rough draft. Whew! It feels great!
- What Are You Reading?
- What’s Waiting In Your To-Be-Read Pile?
Comments 4
I am looking forward to your review of The Scarlet Cord after you have read it.(If you need an explanation I will tell you after you read it.)
Author
I’m reading R.J. Larson’s, Judge, now–but Scarlet Cord is next! I’ll keep you posted! 😉
Olá meu nome é Rebeca Morais.
Interessei muito em ler o seu livro, até porque é a história do meu nome rsrs. Porém como pode ver sou brasileira, e só entendo português. vc sabe me informar se já tem o seu livro traduzido em minha língua???
Author
Hi Rebeca!
I emailed Jill with your question, and here is her answer:
“No Portuguese translation yet. Romanian, Norwegian, German, and Afrikaans, but that’s it, I think. Please tell her I wish, but not yet!”
We will have to pray for Portuguese! Blessings!